Crimson Tide report: Notes, quotes

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE It may come as a surprise to know Alabama is fifth in the SEC by scoring 28.4 points per game. Some of those points have come against lesser opponents, but the Crimson Tide also leads the SEC and ranks 13th nationally with 229 rushing yards per game. The Tide still ranks last in the SEC in passing offense but showed some positive signs of growth against Mississippi State.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE Alabama continues to lead the nation in total defense, allowing just 223 yards per game with an active defense that seems to get better with each week. Alabama also leads the nation in pass defense, allowing just 107 passing yards per game. The Tide ranks sixth nationally in scoring defense, giving up just 13.6 points per game. Breaking it down even further, Alabama leads the SEC in three-downs-and-out (51.3 percent of the time).

QUOTE TO NOTE "They had some pretty significant ones to prime-time players. Brodie (Croyle) gave them the ability to be a passing team as well as an effective running team. (Ray) Hudson was an outstanding back but they don't miss a beat with the guy (Kenneth Darby) they have now. Their team has shown a tremendous amount of resiliency losing those kinds of prime-time players. Anybody would struggle to overcome and replace them." -- LSU coach Nick Saban on how Alabama has handled season-ending injuries to key players.